Are Optimo straw Panamas really safe to roll up?

[JeffOYB]

Hi all... Before I get to my question... Last year my plans to travel to Hollywood fell through. THIS TIME it's all systems go for 4/29>5/4. : ) Dang, I look forward to checking out some swell hangouts and maybe running into some of you! I'll catch up on The Lounge and see if anything is scheduled while I'm in town.

Anyway, I'd like to travel with a better hat than the baseball cap I came out with 2 years ago. That wasn't terrible and is fine for seated/airport action, but this I'm thinking that an Optimo-type straw Panama might be a neat idea.

Are they really safe to roll up for travel packing? Should it be tubed? I'll be traveling with just a medium carry-on duffle. That is, I suspect they might be rollable but I doubt they're *crushers*. I bet I should beware of putting other pressures on them.

BTW, this trip starts in the Bay Area. So I plan to take the Pacific Starlight train south to Union Station in LA. A classic and scenic train, I've heard! (I also heard it can be slow but I'll have along reading material and my un-classic laptop...)

OK, I'll be posting elsewhere here now, I expect! : ) It's nice to be back!

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Depends on the Optimo! I have two (possibly 3, if I win a current auction) Optimo crown Panamas and both are very different material, yet both roll. One is a vintage Dobbs, but the straw is sooooo fine that it rolls, but with care. Then other is a Borsalino paper-straw that rolls and reshapes no problem, but the damn thing is whiter than white. I have had other, less quality, Optimos that, when rolled, split and fell apart. I guess it comes down to how good the hat really is. Also, look for the term 'rollable' when purchasing one.

 

[RBH]

Here is a classic style that I got off of E-Bay several years ago that has rolled very well. In fact I
took it to Texas [rolled..on a plane] and wore it in Mexico.

here is a shot of the hat from last summer {I put the thin ribbon on it} ...

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6506/pannamarv6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[PhilS]

What does the English Optimo look like?

Here is a classic style that I got off of E-Bay several years ago that has rolled very well. In fact I
took it to Texas [rolled..on a plane] and wore it in Mexico.

here is a shot of the hat from last summer {I put the thin ribbon on it} ...

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6506/pannamarv6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

I bought the English Optimo from Panama Bob because it looked like it had a slightly lesser crown. I won't get it for a few months, and the pictures on the site only show one dimension. Does anyone have one to show?

 

[RBH]

I bought the English Optimo from Panama Bob because it looked like it had a slightly lesser crown. I won't get it for a few months, and the pictures on the site only show one dimension. Does anyone have one to show?

Phil, the hat I am wearing is also called the Optimo style. Yes some have a slightly shorter crown.

This is a panama from PanamBob that was reblocked [it was already an optimo -classic style] and re ribboned by Art Fawcett from last summer.
The hat from Robert is the better hat by far...

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9433/hpim1280bw3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

 

[univibe88]

I bought the English Optimo from Panama Bob because it looked like it had a slightly lesser crown. I won't get it for a few months, and the pictures on the site only show one dimension. Does anyone have one to show?

You are right, the English Optimo is a pretty low crown. I have one from Bob, blocked by Gus. There are some pics in this thread: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=28248

 

[PhilS]

Thanks Karl & RBH

I love your hats, and they confirm that I picked the one I wanted. Best, Phil

 

[JeffOYB]

I see a bunch of $25 + $17 Optimos on eBay from a seller called Panamahatsdirect. At their homepage they say that rollables don't have a leather sweatband and stain through quite easily in a way that's hard to clean. Interesting point! ...I sweat.

Anyone know this seller?

They also say that all Monecristos will roll up---they just don't bounce back as fast and get a crease. Hmmm...I'm not so picky so maybe that's an option. My other straw hat is a Borsalino...I don't know if it's a Montecristo...maybe it cost $80 from that Chicago hat shop.